10-Team Leagues
Nick Pivetta (PHI) – Pivetta’s ownership is on the rise because he’s looked damn good over his last three outings. He’s won three straight decisions and has accumulated 25 strikeouts, two walks, one earned run (on a solo home run) over that span. He’ll face the Giants in AT&T Park, but oddly enough AT&T Park has played well towards hitters so far early on. The Giants are a streaky offense and right now they are struggling a little bit so this is a good time to jump in and pick him up.
Kevin Gausman (BAL) – The month of May has been very generous to the Gas Can. In four starts this month (27.1 innings of work) he’s collected 28 strikeouts, five walks, and given up just two home runs. His 2.63 ERA is justified by the 2.56 FIP and to his credit his swinging strike rate is up to 14.1% this month. His numbers have looked great and this is all including a start where he got rocked by Boston. Now the month of June might be rough for Gausman to start out. He’s slated to face the Yankees next Friday to kick off June, but at least the start isn’t going to be in the Bronx. It’s a little worrisome, but Gausman should get some consideration based on how well he’s pitched lately.
Tyler Skaggs (LAA) – Skaggs has become a bit of a regular to this piece. He’s likely lining up for two starts next week with his first start coming against the Tigers on the road and then at home against the Rangers. Skaggs has five straight starts with at least six strikeouts, which may not sound like much but he doesn’t pitch very deep into games, which is a knock on him. The other killer for Skaggs? Home runs. Over his last five outings (27.1 innings) he’s averaging 1.95 HR/9 and opponents have a .323 BABIP. But the matchups are pretty good next week. The Tigers have hit just 42 home runs in 50 games and the Rangers are slashing just .226/.301/.389 as a team. It’s not ideal and if you’re worried about Skaggs then refer to the first pitcher listed in the 12-team league section if you need a pitcher for two starts next week.
Tyson Ross (SD) – Tyson Ross has been great this year and anybody would be lucky to own him on their team. Since April 20th he has a 2.98 ERA (3.16 FIP), he’s averaging 10.63 K/9, while giving up just 0.64 HR/9. Yes the 4.04 BB/9 over that span is concerning. It seems like each outing he’s allowing three runners on base via walks, but the 11.1% swinging strike rate looks pretty good. His swinging strike rate has fluctuated actually and it’s pretty weird. One start it’ll be upwards of 13% and the next start it’ll hover around seven or eight percent. It’s bizarre. But Ross draws the Marlins and Reds at home next week. Both of those matchups are pretty tempting.
12-Team Leagues
Caleb Smith (MIA) – I know there are reasons to be cautious with Smith, but I am on board this week. He might be my favorite play actually. He gets two road starts in San Diego and Arizona and his 3.05 FIP looks great in comparison to his 3.83 ERA. Since April 22nd he’s done really well with an 11.50 K/9, 2.67 BB/9 and he’s given up just one home run in that span. I’ll keep it short and sweet with Smith for this section. I’m absolutely in love with him as a streamer next week.
Joe Musgrove (PIT) – I’m very intrigued by Musgrove because this might be the time to grab him on waivers while you still can. He’s less than 30% owned almost universally and he’s coming off a very solid debut to the 2018 season. His debut did come against St. Louis, but he went seven innings, struck out seven, didn’t walk anybody, and gave up five hits. All in all it was a great debut. Pittsburgh also let him go pretty deep into the game so that’s a good sign. The true test for Musgrove comes next week. He draws the Cubs, and then is a two-start pitchers against the Dodgers and then the Cubs for a second time the week after. His big issue has always been home runs, but he gets a park upgrade moving from Houston to Pittsburgh so hopefully the home run issue gets fixed on its own since PNC Park has been one of the worst home run parks this year.
Daniel Mengden (OAK) – Mengden will never go out and wow you with his numbers. He only averages roughly five or six strikeouts per nine innings of work. However, over his last seven starts he’s collected five quality starts and he’s walked just four hitters in 41.1 innings of work. If you need someone just to eat up some innings to help you reach your innings minimum then here’s a good option. Mengden gets Tampa Bay at home next week. Tampa’s been surprisingly underrated offensively as a team, but this is still a spot where you can stream Mengden with hopes of logging a quality start.
Deeper League Options
Zach Eflin (PHI) – I’m quietly a pretty big Zach Eflin fan and his ownership has dipped horribly lately because of two starts where he failed to get out of the fifth inning. The peripherals are still okay though. He has a 3.27 ERA (3.06 FIP), with a 9.82 K/9, 2.86 BB/9, and 0.82 HR/9. To get value like this in a deeper league is pretty awesome actually. His swinging strike rate is under 10%, but Eflin’s doing just fine and at 21% on Yahoo! he could be there in your deeper league. Next he gets a road start against the Dodgers. Los Angeles has actually been horrific at home. They’re slashing just .220/.295/.376 at home. They do tend to hit righties better than lefties so that could be a problem for Eflin, but honestly this is still a decent spot for the Phillies young righty.
Tyler Mahle (CIN) – I’m going to be completely transparent with you guys here, Mahle’s been brutal lately. He’s given up 13 home runs in his last nine starts to own a 2.18 HR/9. That is atrocious. He’s really only recommended for this piece because of his matchup on the road against the Padres. San Diego has hit just 43 home runs in 52 games and they slash .227/.293/.361 as a team. Even against right-handed pitching they’re still only slashing .228/.295/.348 so there isn’t much to get excited about for the Padres. So this seems like it could be a “get right” matchup for Mahle. He’s shown flashes of being able to average a strikeout per inning, so hopefully he can do so against a Padres team that has struck out the fourth-most in MLB.
Jaime Barria (LAA) – Barria’s due for regression and hopefully it comes later today in his start against the Yankees. Currently he owns a 2.13 ERA with a 3.23 FIP so he’s easily due for a rough star. He’s worth streaming next week on the road against the Tigers. He’s not a huge source of strikeouts, but he’s only given up three walks in his last 18.1 innings of work and he hasn’t given up a home run since his first start of the year on April 11th. He’s a very safe option and while he only averages 7.11 K/9 he does have 14 strikeouts over his last 12.1 innings of work with a 14.1% swinging strike rate over that span.